Reading the Old Ghost Road special issue (December 2025), I allowed myself a spot of reminiscing. My then 16-year-old son Max and I decided to bike the newly opened track in November 2016 and struck an unseasonal snow dump. It made for great memories and lots of fun navigating off the ridge the next morning.

Ten years on, Max is now a licensed builder and works with Rob Brown at the Backcountry Trust refurbishing and building a number of huts each year. Maybe the night at Ghost Hut sparked the idea that huts need to be maintained – and warm.

– Stuart Burgess

Stuart receives a pair of Oboz Sawtooth Ascent hiking shoes worth $229. Readers, send your letter to the editor for a chance to win.

Folly of a Robert Ridge Great Walk

I’m concerned about one of your proposed Great Walk alternatives: Robert Ridge Loop (‘Just-as-great walks’, September 2025).

My understanding is that the Great Walks are good for beginners.

Robert Ridge is an entirely different type of tramp. The track isn’t technical but the alpine weather certainly is. It has killed people at any time of the year. The weather changes without warning and can drop 15°, clag in and blow you off if it doesn’t freeze you to death first.

Hence the many DOC warning signs as one progresses up Robert Ridge.

I well remember coming off Mt Robert after snow skills training. We were all in crampons with ice axes, the sky completely black behind us with a forecasted weather bomb racing in.

We encountered numerous tourists walking up in jeans and running shoes with tiny day packs. We encouraged them to turn back, but few were willing.

None of us know what we don’t know, and pretending Mt Robert is a Great Walk is utter folly.

– Lis Pedersen

Permission needed for alternative Mt Taylor route

The alternative route to Mt Taylor (Wild trips, November 2025) suggests a way back by descending Taylor Stream, and moving back up to Peache Saddle before reaching Woolshed Creek Hut. This is not an option as it goes through Winterslow Station’s private land. You can always ask permission from the leaseholder, but even though I have lived and worked in the area for a couple of years, I have never been allowed to do so. 

My understanding is that they use this land for hunting parties. You shouldn’t meet anybody in winter when the land is covered with snow, but I wouldn’t go through anyway.

– Etienne Foisset

Old Ghost Road poll

After publishing our feature on the Old Ghost Road in the December 2025 issue, we polled our newsletter readers on whether they had walked the trail. 51% said they had tramped it, 18% had biked it, 30% said it’s on their bucket list and 1% said they had no interest in walking it. 

Here are some of the responses we received: 

It’s a fantastic track. Beautiful and healthy forest, birdsong everywhere, wonderful views, excellent huts. Highly recommend. 

– Jennifer Neads

I’ve walked all over Aotearoa and the OGR rates at the top of the list – in both epic trail and the story behind it. Huge thanks to all who persevered to create this monumental experience.

– John de Waal

I rode the OGR seven years ago with two others over two days. We had a blast and would like to walk it next time for a slower pace, to explore it more thoroughly.  

– Mari van Baarsen

I love it – my favourite track – such amazing and varied landscapes: rivers, streams, forests, wetlands, earthquake damage and mountainous/tops area. I first went up the Mohikinui River to Goat Creek hut in the early 1970s when it was just the remains of the goldminers’ track. I’ve retraced that part twice and walked the whole track three times, the first when I turned 70.

– Barbara Langton

The huts are great and the camaraderie on the trail is excellent. A thanks to the track workers – always pleasant and informative even though they operate in some very trying conditions. 

– David Cregan 

It was my first multi-day walk and is probably still my favourite, even though I’ve walked several others since. I definitely prefer walks that aren’t ‘Great Walks’! 

– Chrissie Kershaw

Loved it. It’s like Heaphy on steroids. Would do it again.

– Jo Williams

Absolutely loved the experience. The scenery and weather was stunning. The effort that went into this track is staggering – not just the engineering but the volunteer hours, too. A huge thank you to all involved.

– Peter Loeber